Fold open box for displaying toys

ABSTRACT

A fold open display box for storing and displaying objects such as toys comprises a transparent display window or a mesh screen and a fold open case. The window may be made of plastic or cellophane paper. Additional windows, with a protective transparent material covering each of the windows, located on other sides of the fold open display box may allow a full 360 degrees view of an object in the box.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention relates to a storage container and, in particular, to a storage container for objects of different dimensions.

[0003] Particularly, this invention relates to packages for toys and playthings, the package designed to be a fold open box-having at least one window for protecting and displaying toys positioned in the box.

[0004] 2. General Background

[0005] Many of the prior art storage container cases for video cassettes typically are foldable, in the sense that at least one of the case sections of the storage container case can be turned to access the video cassette that is located in a compartment in the case. In other words, the mechanism for opening and closing the storage container case is fairly easy to manipulate to access the video cassette. However, the video cassette in the storage container case is not displayed or accessed unless the storage container case is actually opened.

[0006] In many of today's stores, display boxes are designed to convey maximum information of the object or a toy within the display box. Specifically, many of these boxes have a window in the front display section to allow people to actually get a realistic view of the object in the box. However, the object in the box is not easily accessible as in the storage container case.

[0007] Thus, the need exists for an improved video cassette storage container which can be formed with at least one transparent window allowing the object within to be realistically displayed and easily accessed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The fold open display box with at least one transparent window on the case allows the object or toy within the box to be displayed in a realistic manner, while at the same time allowing easy access, via turning at least one case section, to the object or toy. A further advantage of the present display box is the ease in manufacturing such a simple but yet effective method for advertising objects or toys.

[0009] Accordingly, in one embodiment of the present invention, the foldable case for displaying objects comprises: (i) first and second case sections joined by a flexible spine to form an integral body, at least one of the first and second case sections having a well for receiving an object such that the case sections can be foldably closed with the object inside. The flexible spine permitting a first turning action to the first case section along an axis generally parallel to a first major side of the flexible spine, (ii) a cut out portion in the first case section, (iii) an at least partially transparent window attached over the cut out portion on the first case section, wherein the object in the well is displayed through the at least partially transparent window. Furthermore, there may be additional cut out portions in the spine and the second case section, with a transparent material being used as a covering window.

[0010] In another embodiment of the present invention, the fold open display box for displaying a toy comprises: (i) a first panel having a first cavity, the first cavity having a cut out portion, (ii) a second panel having a second cavity, wherein at least one of the first and the second cavity is designed to receive a toy, (iii) an at least partially transparent window attached over the cut out portion of the first cavity, (iv) a wall connected by a first hinge to the first panel wherein the toy placed in at least one of the first and second cavity is displayed through the at least partially transparent window. Furthermore, the toy is insertable or removable when either the first or the second panel is turned about an axis passing through the hinge. As further modifications there may be additional cut out portions in the wall and the second panel with a transparent material being used as a covering window.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] In order that the manner in which the above-recited advantages and objects of the invention are attained, as well as others which will become apparent, more particular description of the invention briefly summarized above may be had by reference to the specific embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

[0012] In the drawings:

[0013]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the fold open display box comprising a window according to the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 2 shows the display box with a window in the open state; and

[0015]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the fold open display box as viewed along direction 3-3 in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Referring now in detail and by reference characters to the drawings, which illustrate several different embodiments of the present invention. Numeral 1, in FIG. 1, designates a fold open display box. Such a box 1, as in the present invention, is designed to be opened in a fairly easy manner as well as allowing the object within the it to be displayed realistically.

[0017] The fold open box according to the present invention is generally a video box which is commercially available for displaying videos in stores. In the preferred form, the fold open box is a video box having a window cut-out to display an object or a toy within it in an effective manner.

[0018] A commercial advantage of the fold open box, which is a video box having a window, is that an existing video box containing a video can be used for displaying objects and toys without significant costs. This is because the window cut-out can be done with ease.

[0019] The fold open box comprises a first panel or a first case section 4 generally made from a flexible material. For example, a thermoplastic material can be used to manufacture this panel or section. The cover portion 5 could be of a different material or could be part of the first case section 4, depending on the manufacturing process involved. In addition the cover 5 could be an integral part of the first panel 4. For the sake of brevity, the combined second panel 4 and the cover 5 is referred to as the second panel or second case section.

[0020] A generally similar shape second panel or second case section is labeled as 6. As depicted in FIG. 1, the two panels are shown in an interlocking position thereby precluding an object located within the display box to fall out unless the two case sections 4 and 6 are separated with intent. The cover portion 11 of the second panel 6 could be of a different material or could be part of the second case section 6, depending on the manufacturing process involved. In addition the cover 11 could be an integral part of the second panel 6. For the sake of brevity, the combined second panel 6 and the cover 11 is referred to as the second panel or second case section.

[0021] The first case section or first panel of the display box also has a cut out as is generally depicted along edge 7. The cut-out creates a hollow cavity or a well 16 as shown in FIG. 2. In addition the cut-out portion 7 has a window of a transparent material 8 affixed on it. The window allows for a clear view of an object that may be residing in the box. Alternatively, the cut-out portion 7 may have a mesh screen instead of the window 8. A mesh screen is convenient in case the object in the box is a press down toy (toys that make a sound upon depressing a body part of the toy). The window cut-out may also be done in a manner to match the profile of a specific object. For example, a Mickey-Mouse™ contour may be especially cut out in the first case section thereby providing an exclusive clear view of the Mickey-Mouse™ toy 9 contained in the box. In another aspect, an ornamentation may be applied to the material on the cut out thereby providing a partial view of the object in the box. In another aspect of the present invention a miniature loudspeaker may be applied on the first case section to enhance the audible effects for a sound generating Mickey-Mouse™ toy in the box.

[0022] A wall or a spine 10 of flexible material connects to the first and second panels via a first major side 12 of the spine and a second major side 14 respectively. The flexible spine 10 permits a turning action to the first case section along an axis generally parallel to a first major side 12 of the flexible spine 10. In addition, the flexible spine 10 may also permit a second turning action to the second case section along an axis generally parallel to the second major side 14 of the flexible spine. The first turning action is depicted by the arrows labeled 100-100, whereas the second turning action is depicted via arrows labeled 200-200.

[0023]FIG. 2 shows the display box with a window in the open state. Interlocking mechanisms 24 and 26 allow the box to be locked, thereby keeping an object 20 secure in a cavity or well 18 of the second case section 6. In FIG. 2, the object is a video cassette. However any other object such as a toy can be positioned in the cavity 18 or in the cavity 16 for display.

[0024] A cross-sectional view of the fold open display box is shown in FIG. 3. The transparent window 8 is adjacent to a rigid material 30. The rigid material 30 may contain advertising material and/or graphics that enable effective marketing of the object 20 positioned in the fold open display box 1. The rigid material 30 also may provide the necessary sturdiness to the fold open display box 1 so as to prevent it from being warped due to mishandling.

[0025] The fold open display box has dimensions of the order of a video box that contains videos. The first case section is approximately 10 inches×5 inches×0.5 inch. The second case section is approximately 10 inches×5 inches×1 inches. The spine is approximately 10 inches×1.5 inches×0.5 inches.

[0026] The manufacturing of the fold open display box is fairly straightforward and may be done by first connecting the first case section 4 to the first major side 12 of the flexible spine 10. The flexible spine 10 design permits a first turning action, generally depicted as 100-100 in FIG. 2, to the first case section 4 along an axis generally parallel to the first major side of the flexible spine. In the next step the second case section 6 is attached to the second major side 14 of the flexible spine 10. A window (as depicted along edge 7) is then formed on the first case section 4. Finally, an at least partially transparent material 8 is affixed on the window such that the object in the foldable display box is displayed through the window. Further windows may be cut out on the spine 10, and the second case section 6. This will then allow a substantial view of the object 20 in the fold open display box 1.

[0027] The following steps may be completed to form the fold open display box 1 according to the present invention. First, a sheet of relatively flexible thermoplastic material is molded to form a first case section 4, a second case section 6, and a spine 10 in between the first case section 4 and the second case section 6. The spine is designed such that the first and second case sections (4, 6) and the spine 10 are relatively movable about a line between each of the sections and the spine. Then, at least one of the first case section 4 and the second case section 6 is formed with a well 16/18 to receive an object 20. In the next step, a window (as generally depicted at edge 7) is formed to at least one of the first and second case sections. Finally, an at least partially transparent material 8 is applied to cover the window. The window is made by applying a die-cut along a predetermined trajectory as defined by edge 7. Additional windows may be cut out on the spine 10, and the second case section 6. This will then allow a substantial view of the object 20 in the fold open display box 1. Instead of a transparent material 8, a mesh screen may be affixed to the first case section 4 so as to allow the object 20 in the box 1 to be pressed (for e.g., toys that make a sound upon depressing a body part of the toy).

[0028] While the specification describes particular embodiments of the present invention, those of ordinary skill can devise variations of the present invention without departing from the inventive concept. For example, the fold open box may contain multiple wells. There may even be multiple windows on each case section of the fold open box. Furthermore the material used for the multiple windows may be of a combination of transparent material and mesh screens. 

We claim the following:
 1. A foldable case for displaying an object, the case comprising: first and second case sections joined by a flexible spine to form an integral body, at least one of the first and second case sections having a well for receiving an object such that the case sections can be foldably closed with the object inside; the flexible spine permitting a first turning action to the first case section along an axis generally parallel to a first major side of the flexible spine; a cut out portion in the first case section; and an at least partially transparent window attached over the cut out portion on the first case section.
 2. The foldable case for displaying an object according to claim 1, further including an object in the well that is displayed through the at least partially transparent window.
 3. The foldable case for displaying an object according to claim 1, wherein the spine is connected by a second major side to the second case section.
 4. The foldable case for displaying an object according to claim 1, wherein the first case section includes a cutout of a rigid material, the rigid material being positioned between the at least partially transparent window and the first case section.
 5. The foldable case for displaying an object according to claim 1, further including a cut out portion in the second case section.
 6. The foldable case for displaying an object according to claim 5, further including an at least partially transparent window attached over the cut out portion of the second case section.
 7. The foldable case for displaying an object according to claim 3, wherein the flexible spine permits a second turning action to the second case section along an axis generally parallel to the second major side of the flexible spine.
 8. The foldable case for displaying an object according to claim 1, further including a cut out portion in the spine.
 9. The fold open display box for displaying an object according to claim 8, further including an at least partially transparent window attached over the cut out portion of the spine.
 10. The fold open display box for displaying an object according to claim 1, wherein the at least partially transparent window is made of flexible plastic.
 11. The fold open display box for displaying an object according to claim 1, wherein the at least partially transparent window is a meshed screen.
 12. The fold open display box for displaying an object according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second case sections are made from a rigid thermoplastic material.
 13. The fold open display box for displaying an object according to claim 2, wherein the window is cut out to match the profile of the object.
 14. A fold open display box for displaying a toy, the box comprising: a first panel having a first cavity, said first cavity having a cut out portion; a second panel having a second cavity, wherein at least one of the first and the second cavity is designed to receive a toy; an at least partially transparent window attached over the cut out portion of the first cavity; a wall connected by a first hinge to the first panel.
 15. The fold open display box for displaying a toy according to claim 14, further including a toy placed in at least one of the first and second cavity that is displayed through the at least partially transparent window; and
 16. The fold open display box for displaying a toy according to claim 15, wherein the toy insertable or removable when either the first or the second panel is turned about an axis passing through the hinge.
 17. The fold open display box for displaying a toy according to claim 14, wherein the wall is connected by a second hinge to the second panel.
 18. The fold open display box for displaying a toy according to claim 14, wherein the first panel includes a cutout of a rigid material, the rigid material being positioned between the at least partially transparent window and the first panel.
 19. The fold open display box for displaying a toy according to claim 14, further including a cut out portion in the second cavity.
 20. The fold open display box for displaying a toy according to claim 19, further including an at least partially transparent window attached over the cut out portion of the second cavity.
 21. The fold open display box for displaying a toy according to claim 17, wherein the wall is turned about an axis passing through the second hinge.
 22. The fold open display box for displaying a toy according to claim 14, further including a cut out portion in the wall.
 23. The fold open display box for displaying a toy according to claim 22, further including an at least partially transparent window attached over the cut out portion of the wall.
 24. The fold open display box for displaying a toy according to claim 14, wherein the at least partially transparent window is made of flexible plastic.
 25. The fold open display box for displaying a toy according to claim 14, wherein the at least partially transparent window is made of a flexible plastic material.
 26. The fold open display box for displaying a toy according to claim 13, wherein the first panel and the second panel are made from a rigid thermoplastic material.
 27. A fold open display box intended for containing a video cassette, the box comprising: a first panel having a first cavity, said first cavity having a cut out portion; a second panel having a second cavity, wherein at least one of the first and the second cavity is designed to receive a toy; an at least partially transparent window attached over the cut out portion of the first cavity; a wall connected by a first hinge to the first panel.
 28. The fold open display box intended for containing a video cassette according to claim 27, wherein the first panel has length of approximately 10 inches, breadth of approximately 5 inches and width of approximately 0.5 inch.
 29. The fold open display box intended for containing a video cassette according to claim 27, wherein the second panel has length of approximately 10 inches, breadth of approximately 5 inches and width of approximately 1 inches.
 30. The fold open display box intended for containing a video cassette according to claim 27, wherein the wall has length of approximately 10 inches, breadth of approximately 1.5 inches and width of approximately 0.5 inches.
 31. A method of manufacturing a foldable display box, the method comprising: a) connecting a first case section to a first major side of a flexible spine such that the flexible spine permits a first turning action to the first case section along an axis generally parallel to a first major side of the flexible spine; b) attaching a second case section to a second major side of the flexible spine; c) at least one of the first and second case sections having a cavity for receiving an object; d) forming a window in the first case section; and e) affixing an at least partially transparent material on the window such that the object in the foldable display box is displayed through the window.
 32. The method of manufacturing a foldable display box according to claim 31, further comprising the step of forming a window in the second case section.
 33. The method of manufacturing a foldable display box according to claim 31, further comprising the step of forming a window in the spine.
 34. The method of manufacturing a foldable display box according to claim 32, further comprising the step of affixing an at least partially transparent material on the window of the second case section.
 35. The method of manufacturing a foldable display box according to claim 33, further comprising the step of affixing an at least partially transparent material on the window of the spine.
 36. A method of manufacturing a foldable display box, the method comprising: a) molding a sheet of relatively flexible thermoplastic material to form a first case section, a second case section, and a spine in between the first case section and the second case section, such that the sections and the spine are relatively movable about a line between each of the sections and the spine; b) at least one of the first case section and the second case section being formed with a well to receive an object; b) forming a window to at least one of the first and second case sections; and c) applying an at least partially transparent material to cover the window
 37. The method of manufacturing a foldable display box according to claim 36, wherein the window is formed by applying a die cut. 